GLASGOW workers will be taking to the streets on Sunday to mark May Day - also known as International Workers’ Day - for the first time in three years.
A festival and rally are planned, with organisers aiming to bring workers together to celebrate victories past and present, while sending a strong message ahead of the May council elections that “bold initiatives are needed to make Glasgow fairer and to address climate change - such as free public transport”.
On Sunday, May 1, workers across the city are invited to assemble at George Square at 11am for the May Day march and rally. They aim to arrive at Kelvingrove bandstand for 12.30pm, for a festival with music, speakers and entertainment for all ages which will run until 3pm.
The event will combine speakers from local campaigns and national leaders of the trade union movement in Scotland and across the UK. There will be cultural contributions with a spoken word piece by artist and writer Darren McGarvey (Loki) reflecting on the pandemic’s effects in Glasgow.
Leading voices from the trade union movement in Scotland and beyond will address the rally, including the Scottish Trade Union Congress general secretary Roz Foyer, Dave Ward (general secretary of the Communication Workers Union) and Shelly Asquith (TUC).
There will also be contributions from the Sheku Bayoh campaign, and Gavin Thompson, a climate campaigner in Glasgow.
Jennifer McCarey, Chair of Glasgow Trades Council, said: “It has been three years since trade unions marched for May Day in Glasgow. Glasgow May Day is the oldest civic parade in our city, and with shrinking pay packets and increases in the cost of living, workers' voices in our city need to be heard loud and clear.
“The climate and cost of living crisis affects every household in this city. We need bold, radical action so our homes use less energy and access to free publicly owned transport, reducing the need for private vehicles.
“Only by decreasing Glaswegians' need to use energy, with better heating & housing, and with free buses, do we make that a choice for all - not just for the rich.”
For more information about the rally and other events taking place across May, you can visit: https://linktr.ee/glasgowmayday
